2004 HONDA S2000 ECU

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Lif t it up slightly to remove the
support rod f rom the hole. Put the
support rod back into its holding clip.
Lower the hood to about a f oot (30
cm) above the f ender, then let it
drop. Make sure it is securely
latched.
Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood to the right of
center. Slide your hand to the lef t
until you f eel the hood latch
handle. Push this handle to the lef t
until it releases the hood. Lif t the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the f ront of the hood around the
center.
1.
2.
3.
Service Station Procedure
Opening the Hood T o Close the Hood
Bef ore Driving102
RELEASE HANDLE

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the seats cannot roll under
the seats and interfere with the
pedals or vehicle operation.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible.
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk
Bef ore Driving109

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
58
66 12
39
Preparing to Drive
Driving112

CONT INUED
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle f or
as long as you own it.
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
Recommended Engine Oil
129
API CERTIFICATION SEAL

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Install
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
Manual T ransmission Fluid, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Windshield Washers
Manual Transmission Fluid
134
NOTICE:
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially available windshield
washer f luid.

Use an SAE 90 viscosity hypoid gear
oil, API service classif ied GL5 or
GL6 only.
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer.
Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole.
Dif f erential Fluid, Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L atch
Dif f erential Fluid
135
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT
PIVOTS
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)

Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.Install the trunk lining, and secure
it with the fasteners. To reinstall a
f astener, reset the f astener by
pushing on the pointed end until it
pops back almost f lush with the
f ingers on the housing. Put the
f astener in the hole of the trunk
lining, and push on the center until
it locks (the center is f lush with
the head).
7.
8.
9.
10.
Lights
Maint enance142

Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.
Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
a crisscross pattern. Have the
wheel nut torque checked at the
nearest automotive service f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
13.
11. 12.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed158
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)